13 Best Destination Wedding Reception Venues Around the World

July 27, 2011

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Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas

At Sandals Emerald Bay, wedding receptions have a killer built-in backdrop: the turquoise sea. Another perk? You can let Martha Stewart Weddings do all the planning. Choose one of several packages -- from a natural orchid-filled theme to a romantic motif with pink lanterns and butterflies -- and practically all you need to do is show up.

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Rock House Hotel, Harbor Island, Bahamas

The Rock House Hotel is one of the most romantic, welcoming properties on one of the Bahamas' swankiest islands. Your guests will fawn over its views of the pink sandy beach and ocean so bright blue it looks unreal.

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Zoetry Casa Del Mar Resort, Los Cabos, Mexico

Take a cue from our down-south neighbors and throw a fiesta -- poolside under strands of lanterns or right on the sand around a cozy bonfire -- at the gorgeous, hacienda-style Zoetry Casa Del Mar Resort.

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One&Only Ocean Club, Nassau, Bahamas

The gracious, plantation-style One&Only Ocean Club boasts Versailles-inspired gardens, a 12th-century Augustinian cloister (shipped from France), and pristine white-sand beaches. Foodies, take note: Not only is the the resort's signature restaurant, Dune (shown here), helmed by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, it's also the perfect spot for an intimate reception.

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Dar Yacout Restaurant, Marrakech, Morocco

A rehearsal dinner or small reception at the magical Dar Yacout, with its shallow pools, fountains, flickering lanterns, and mosaic floors, is nothing less than a feast for the senses. For more information, call +212-24-38-29-29.

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Liberty Grand, Toronto

With its Renaissance-style decor and prime location next to Toronto's downtown lakefront, the Liberty Grand is perfect for impressive receptions (its largest ballroom can handle an astounding 1,500 people).

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Ocean View Club, Harbor Island, Bahamas

Like an upscale beach shack, the Ocean View Club hotel, otherwise known as Pip's Place, has funky touches and an endless-ocean view that's to die for.

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Il Borro, Tuscany, Italy

In a lush green valley, the estate of Il Borro covers approximately 1,750 acres of Tuscan countryside. At once rustic and luxurious, it features a glorious main villa (formerly the home of the Ferragamo fashion family), a petite old church, several farmhouses, vineyards, and a tiny medieval village converted into a series of multiroom dwellings perfect for your guests to share.

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Magdalene College, Cambridge, England

With beautiful old stone buildings and picturesque grounds, Cambridge University's Magdalene College is rife with reception options. Here, guests have cocktails on the yard in front of the library before supping in the Elizabethan-era dining hall.

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Gardiner Museum, Toronto, Canada

The boutique Gardiner Museum, which houses ceramics, was remodeled by famed architect Bruce Kuwabara, whose handiwork can be seen all over the country. Couples with a penchant for design will love this contemporary space, especially when it lights up dramatically after dark.

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Rio Chico Estate, Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Privately owned by the founder of Sandals, Rio Chico is a beachfront villa that practically screams for an elegant, alfresco reception. Exchange vows seaside, or within the lush, Italian-style gardens.

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Casa Garza Blanca, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

At the Casa Garza Blanca villa, you get the best of both worlds. Host a cocktail reception by the pool overlooking the ocean, then move the party inside for a sit-down dinner.

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Jnane Tamsna Resort, Marrakech, Morocco

The Jnane Tamsna Resort boutique hotel, reminiscent of a private villa, offers several scenic spots to host a wedding reception, including organic gardens or inside under Moorish-arched ceilings.

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